The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-02-24
EMOTIONAL RELIGION.
The Danger Of Becoming Mere Religious
Sentimentalist.

In0 Danger OF becoming q Nero B0N81Ou0
sentimentalist.
1t is pity when things which natur-
ally belong together, have to be set
over against each other in sharp con-
trast. When it is said that one is
warin-hearted in his spiritual life it
ought not to be necessary to ask
whether he is also true and pure and
loyal to duty. Emotion and righteous
ness have mutual relations, and should
always be found bound up in O common
bundle.
For, shrink as we may from any
thing which seems to be highly demon
strative, warmth is good. Religion has
been defined to be morality touched
with emotion. If morality be thought
of as conformity to the law of God, this
definition is not far out of the way.
Religion is quite likely to lose some
what of its force and much of its beauty
and attractiveness if it has no pulse Of
feeling in it. We all like the severe
accuracy of the multiplication table; we
also like the freshness and fragrance
and charming symmetry of the rose.
The sun knows how to give out both
light and heat. We want both. The
brook is never the less useful because it
sings rs it flows. Indeed, it is the sing
ing brooks which are the most useful.
Birds would not be birds If they did not
yield to their own impulses Of delight,
and fill the air with their morning
melodies. Religion appeals to the
heart; If it be genuine 1t kindles the
heart, quickens all the sensibilities,
and. 1t may be, puts an unwonted
fervor into the speech.
But to feel religious emotions, and,
with due limitations, to give expression
to religious emotions, is one thing; to
feel religious emotions, and go soaring
off on the wings Of religious rapture,
without any apparent appreciation OF
the obligations and duties of religion,
is quite another thing. It is the latter
which is reprehensible. We want emo
ton; but we do not want it to be all
gush and no principle-all sentiment
and no obedience.
One may become q mere religious
sentimentalist, full of the romance OF
feeling; and vehement in the express
sions Of devotion and joy; and yet
show but little disposition to do honest,
hard work for God, and to make sacri-
fees for the truth, and to live life
which shall be an exponent of the faith
that Is avowed.
This is not good. Nor is it possible
to press this distinction too urgently.
There is time for tears. There is a
time to let the heart speak right out Of
its own rich experiences. There is a
time to yield to it and to help swell the
tide of holy enthusiasm. Miriam was
not afraid to sing her song of triumph.
The Psalmist was not afraid to let the
chords of his own heart respond freely
to the touches of inspiration. Paul
was not afraid to tell of dreams and
visions and holy exaltations of soul.
1t is only when all the energies are ex-
pended in these directions, and much
is felt and nothing is done, that emo
ton becomes offensive. The world
does not have much fancy for relig-
ion which runs all to mouth. 1t is not
safe to put confidence in religion-our
own or any body's else-unless the
moral side keeps pace with the emo
tional side, and more and more of
stress is laid on righteousness.-Ad-
f011cC.